Zlatko Zahovic was sent home after a row with his trainer and,
after this defeat to South Africa, the rest of the Slovenia team would soon join him.

1:0
Siyabonga Nomvete put South Africa ahead in the 4th minute, as he stooped to head Quinton
Fortune's free kick from the left but pumped the ball into the back of the net with his
thigh instead.

Not the most beautiful of goals but it earned South Africa the three
points and a possible place in the Second Round.

South Africa continued to look dangerous but they didn't really test
Marko Simeunovic in the Slovenia goal.

Milenko Acimovic shot wide just after the half-hour mark, for
Slovenia's best chance of the first half and Benedict McCarthy should have doubled South
Africa's lead just before the break.... but took too long when presented with an open
goal.

Half-time: South Africa 1 - Slovenia 0

Five minutes after the restart, Marko Simeunovic pushed McCarthy's
fierce shot out for a corner as South Africa tried to wrap up the game before Slovenia
started to show an interest in it.

McCarthy continued to look the most likely to score, heading against
the post and later shooting straight at Simeunovic from the middle of the area.

Without Zlatko Zahovic, Slovenia never really showed creativity in
attack and now face Paraguay with nothing more to play for than their pride.

Final Score:
South Africa 1 -
Slovenia 0

Man of the Match:
Benedict McCarthy - Although he didn't score he came close a number of times, to keep the
pressure on Slovenia, before getting substituted ten minutes from time.